Meizu 17 Pro vs 18s Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Flagship Performance

The Meizu 17 Pro and 18s Pro represent a fascinating evolution within Meizu's flagship lineup. The 17 Pro, launched with the Snapdragon 865, offered a premium experience. The 18s Pro, arriving later with the Snapdragon 888+, aims to refine that experience with a newer chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value in today's market.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Meizu 18s Pro is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 888+ provides a noticeable performance uplift, particularly in demanding tasks, and the faster 40W wired and wireless charging significantly reduces downtime. While the 17 Pro remains a capable device, the 18s Pro’s improvements justify the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu 17 Pro Meizu 18s Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands41, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2020, May 08. Released 2020, May 112021, September 22. Released 2021, September 23
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, ceramic back, ceramic frame-
Dimensions160 x 77.2 x 8.5 mm (6.30 x 3.04 x 0.33 in)162.5 x 73 x 8.1 mm (6.40 x 2.87 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight219 g (7.72 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 -Waterproof
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.6 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 420 nits (typ), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 660
OSAndroid 10, Flyme 8.1Android 11, Flyme 9.2
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Features5-LED dual-tone flash, Auto-HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 79mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF 32 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 129˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth)50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP f/2.4, 79mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom 32 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 130˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p; gyro-EIS8K, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p; gyro-EIS, HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.8µm44 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.65”, 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, QC3, 45% in 30 min 27W wireless40W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 40% in 15 min, 100% in 55 min 40W wireless 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsMint, Black, WhiteBlue, White, Gray
Models-M192Q
PriceAbout 560 EURAbout 610 EUR

Meizu 17 Pro

  • Potentially lower price point due to age.
  • Still a capable performer for everyday tasks.
  • Competent camera system.

  • Older Snapdragon 865 chipset.
  • Slower 30W wired charging.
  • Less efficient power consumption.

Meizu 18s Pro

  • Significantly faster Snapdragon 888+ chipset.
  • 40W wired charging with faster charging times.
  • Improved image processing and low-light performance.
  • More efficient power consumption.

  • Higher price point.
  • Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load (though improved over 865).

Display Comparison

While specific display specs (resolution, refresh rate) aren't provided, both phones likely feature high-quality AMOLED panels typical of flagship devices. The key difference lies in the underlying processing power driving them. The Snapdragon 888+ in the 18s Pro will contribute to smoother animations and faster response times, especially when paired with a high refresh rate. The 17 Pro's Snapdragon 865 is still capable, but will exhibit slightly more latency in graphically intensive scenarios.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the 18s Pro benefits from the improved image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 888+. This ISP enables faster image processing, better low-light performance, and enhanced video recording capabilities. While both phones likely feature similar sensor configurations, the 18s Pro’s processing pipeline will deliver superior image quality, particularly in challenging conditions. The 888+ also supports more advanced computational photography features.

Performance

The core of the upgrade lies in the chipset. The Meizu 18s Pro’s Snapdragon 888+ (5nm) represents a significant leap over the 17 Pro’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+). The 888+ features the newer Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, compared to the 865’s 2.84 GHz Cortex-A77. This translates to approximately a 25-30% improvement in CPU performance. The 888+ also boasts a more powerful Adreno 660 GPU, offering a substantial boost in graphics rendering. While both utilize LPDDR5 RAM, the 888+'s improved architecture and efficiency will result in better sustained performance and potentially less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The charging capabilities are a clear differentiator. The 18s Pro’s 40W wired charging (PD3.0, QC4) is a substantial upgrade over the 17 Pro’s 30W (QC3). The 18s Pro claims 40% charge in 15 minutes and 100% in 55 minutes, while the 17 Pro takes 30 minutes for 45%. Both offer 40W wireless charging, a significant convenience. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 888+'s 5nm process offers better power efficiency, potentially mitigating any capacity difference. The 18s Pro’s faster charging speeds are a major advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu 17 Pro if you prioritize value and can find it at a significantly discounted price. It still offers a smooth experience for everyday tasks and competent photography. Buy the Meizu 18s Pro if you demand the best possible performance for gaming or intensive applications, and if minimizing charging time is a high priority. The 18s Pro is the clear choice for power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888+ in the 18s Pro suffer from the same overheating issues reported in some other phones?
While the Snapdragon 888 was known for thermal throttling, the 888+ includes optimizations to mitigate this issue. Meizu's thermal management implementation in the 18s Pro, combined with the 5nm process, should result in better sustained performance compared to phones with the original 888, though some throttling is still possible during extremely demanding tasks.
❓ Is the 40W wireless charging on the 18s Pro compatible with all Qi wireless chargers?
The 18s Pro's 40W wireless charging requires a compatible charger that supports the proprietary Meizu wireless charging standard to achieve maximum speeds. Standard Qi chargers will still work, but at slower charging rates (typically around 10-15W).
❓ How does the 18s Pro's performance translate to real-world gaming? Can it handle demanding titles like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 888+ in the 18s Pro provides a significant performance boost for gaming. It can comfortably handle demanding titles like Genshin Impact at high settings with stable frame rates. The improved GPU and CPU will result in smoother gameplay and reduced stuttering compared to the 17 Pro.